The housing market is booming these days and everyone seems to be on the move. I just got out of her year-long process of moving her husband’s parents from a fourth-generation farm (where she has two full kitchens) to her 1,000-square-foot apartment. I learned a few things along the way.
1. Book your movers early
Do everything as far in advance as possible. As soon as you have decided on a moving date, make an appointment with a mover or mover. These services are in high demand and you may have to wait for some time. The more you pack it yourself, the cheaper it will cost. Remember to bend your knees when lifting. Unless you know of a local high school football team that can pay for pizza, by all means use a mover if possible.
2. Plan your furniture placement
Create a rough floor plan of your new home and plan where to store each piece of furniture etc. so you know what you need to store or dispose of. Consider carefully if you plan to store the item. It’s really easy to pay for more storage than you need. Once in storage, they tend to stay there and bleed money every month. increase.
Another piece of advice from real estate writer and moving veteran Pam Parker: Your grown-up kids probably won’t want yours. I’m not going to leave everything to them no matter how long I hold it for their benefit. Ask them what they really want before they even think about it.
a nice placeErie Real Estate: Inside a $500,000, 3,800-square-foot Mill Creek Home
3. Consider selling your property
Selling real estate isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s a labor-saving way to liquidate things you don’t need. You know better than you do. You may think you can save and make more money at a yard sale, but you may not make as much money as it’s worth. .
4. Figure out where to put your unwanted stuff
Plan what remains. Call locations that accept donations of usable items in good condition. If you don’t have a friend with a car or truck, consider renting a van for him for the day and scheduling all drop-offs for that day. Find a place where you can get rid of anything that beats up. Don’t forget the scrap yard of old toaster ovens and keep an eye out for old electronics and tires Community Collection Day.
5. Use options other than weekly garbage collection
Just picking up trash every week won’t get you everything you want to get rid of. Some options:
- Home improvement stores sell “The Bagster,” which can haul up to 3,300 pounds of trash for about $30. Unroll it, fill it with waste, then schedule a pickup. Call Waste Management, and for $220 more, they’ll send a lorry with a crane to pick up the big bags and haul them out. They receive an additional bag for $156. To purchase a bag, schedule a collection, or learn more, visit thebagster.com/products/find_price.aspx. Waste management also offers roll-away bins. Demand is high, so book early at wm.com/us/en/dumpster-rental.
takeaway messageErie home sellers, get ready.The best time to list is before April 17th
- If the furniture you want to dispose of is available, sell or donate it as soon as possible, especially if you are selling your home. The more free space you have, the more potential buyers will like it. Beyond thrift stores, look for places like Restore, where you collect items to sell and raise money for Habitat for Humanity. They take working appliances, some furniture and building materials, including doors, windows, sinks, flooring, vanities, countertops, lights, paint, etc. Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity has: There is a restoration at 4922 Pittsburgh Avenue. For more information, visit habavitaberie.org/restore or call 814-454-7025.
6. Label the box
When packing, label the box for each room it needs to be unpacked, such as “Kitchen”, “Bathroom”, etc. Speaking of packaging, if you’re going to sell it, the first thing you do is put a family photo in the box. Potential buyers should see for themselves in your home. To them, photos of strangers are just clutter.
7. Mark the box for ready use at your new home
Pack a few boxes containing everything you need for the first few days at your new location and label them clearly or tape them with bright colored tape so you can find them after the movers leave. Be prepared: Pack paper plates, napkins, utensils, and trash bags. , change of clothes, toiletries, coffee pot and coffee, non-perishable foods (crackers, peanut butter, granola bars, etc.), medicines, pet supplies (food, dishes, leashes, etc.). Don’t lose sight of your bedding. After your move day, you’ll want nothing more than to sleep in your bed.
Sellers market:How’s the Erie County Real Estate Market? Home Prices Rise Year Over Year
8. Know where your new neighborhood grocery store is
Check the community before you move for what you need for the first week. If your laundry room isn’t already set up, find essentials like banks, inexpensive restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, and laundromats. Look for places to buy ice, drug stores (remember to forward your prescription), hardware stores.
9. Change Address, Track Subscriptions, Bills
Specifies the forwarding address for the current post office. Visit bit.ly/changeofaddressUSPS or stop by your local post office. Suspend or transfer subscriptions to newspapers and magazines. Track bills on the move. Make sure all payments are made on time and cancel service at the old address. Don’t assume you don’t have to pay just because you haven’t received an invoice. If utilities are turned off suddenly and left unattended for an extended period of time, homes can be severely damaged, for example, by freezing or bursting pipes.
10. Schedule Utility Power Off, Power On Dates
Schedule a power-up date for your new home at the same time you cancel utilities at your old location. It can take a while for the company to switch and he doesn’t want a cold shower after a day on the move. Our family once went without cable he had a very long 3 weeks.
Bonus Tip: Be patient
Turning a new place into a home takes time. Expect some things to go wrong. Roll it with a punch. If you have children, give them space to work on their own in their own room. Be flexible with your partner’s ideas. If you are alone, don’t panic. Give yourself time to unfreeze. The box is going nowhere.
If you feel stressed, rest. Optional: Check out thrift stores to find new needs. A new vase decoration and some flowers might put a smile on your face.Or grab some dessert and a bottle of wine. Focus on the positive reasons for moving and you’ll feel right at home.
Please contact Jenny Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com. follow her on her twitter @ETN Geisler.
